Blog

NATO NUMBERS

Among the 31 NATO countries, the one spending the most on defense in 2024, as a percentage of GDP, at 4.12% was Poland, followed by Estonia at 3.43%. In third, the US at 3.38%, trailed by Latvia at 3.15%, then Greece at 3.08%, Lithuania at 2.85%, and Finland at 2.41%....

Bank Independent Announces Leadership Transitions

Bank Independent has announced the appointment of Jason Windham as President of the bank and CJ Ryan as President of Interstate Billing Service, its wholly owned subsidiary. Macke Mauldin, Bank Independent CEO, has been President of the bank since 1996. "It has been...

Kasey Helms joins First Horizon Bank as Senior Vice President, Private Client Relationship Manager

First Horizon Bank has announced the appointment of Kasey Helms as Senior Vice President, Private Client Relationship Manager. With 11 years in the banking industry, Kasey brings a wealth of experience managing relationships with high-net-worth clients. She will focus...

New Home, Same Mission: FirstBank Opens Doors on Franklin Street

The physical relocation was barely over half a mile, but the move was major nonetheless for FirstBank. The Nashville-based financial institution, already a presence in the Rocket City since 2015, traded its original home in the five-story office tower that's part of...

DEFENSIVE DRIVING

The Friday File: The city with the longest gap, on average, between vehicle collisions/driver is Brownsville, TX at 14.2 years, followed by Boise, ID at 13.9, Fort Collins, CO at 13.4, and Cary, NC at 12.9. The US average is 10.6. The shortest gaps: Boston, MA at 3.1,...

Kling addresses community issues at District 4 town hall

Bill Kling is on a first name basis with his constituents. That's the way it is when you've been holding down a seat on the Huntsville City Council forever. That's a stretch, but he was first elected to the post in 1988. "Kling,'' however, is the way one of his...

Alabama Basketball Coach Nate Oats Headlines Village of Promise Fundraiser in Huntsville: Praises Organization’s Community Impact

On Tuesday, April 23, hundreds of supporters gathered in the Saturn Ballroom to celebrate and raise money at the Village of Promise's (VoP) 2025 Speaker Series event. This year's fundraising dinner featured Alabama Men's Basketball Coach Nate Oats as the special...

Launch Tank 2025 Highlights North Alabama’s Entrepreneurial Spirit

The entrepreneurial energy of North Alabama was on full display at this year's Launch Tank competition, where innovative businesses from across the region were recognized for their contributions to local economic growth and community development. Now in its fourth...

Madison County Businesses Offer Workforce Education Options to Help Fill Skilled Trades Gap

Last week, the Go Build Alabama campaign launched its updated training page, a centralized resource for skilled trades education in the Yellowhammer State. The training page features a user-friendly directory of training opportunities, including high school career...

New retail development announced in Jones Valley

A new retail development is planned for the Jones Valley area, with completion expected in spring 2026. Lendon Corner, a shopping center that will feature up to four retail spaces, will be developed by Crunkleton Commercial Real Estate. The new development will be...